Friday, June 28, 2013

Marriage as God designed it is between ONE MAN AND ONE WOMAN. Sexuality immorality is a sin. Period.

This week has been none other than hell for Christians like me who believe God's Word on these things to be true.

People who lack understanding of the fact that Jesus came calling Christians judgmental, bigots, hypocrites.

The thing is, are not the people throwing out these accusations actually doing the very thing they accuse Christians of doing?

Bigotry: intolerance of another's opinion and his or her expression of it. Case in point: I expressed my stance and suddenly a now former friend demanded that I not only respect his opinion but then blatantly accused me of enjoying oppressing others in the name of religion. Seriously?

In many Islamic countries, they can stone a homosexual to death! Now tell me more about how Christians in America have oppressed them?

Hypocrites? Because we live under New Testament grace because we believe Jesus came to fulfill the Old Testament law? Because we eat meat that God told Peter was now clean? Because churches, mainly in cases of sexual immorality as Jesus permits, allow divorce? Because we are not living legalistic lives anymore?

Oh, and another abused phrase? Separation of church and state.

Hmm.... America was founded by people escaping the Church of England, which was government ran. They said that government is not to establish religion or run churches. Hence the First Amendment. Perhaps every major needs to study all aspects of the implications of the First Amendment. My journalism classes focused on two concepts in it.

Anyway, separation of church and state is to protect citizens from government establishing religion and running churches. Not to keep churches and Christians from having a say in politics.

Jesus didn't forbid homosexuality. Actually, Jesus defined marriage in Matthew 19:5. This passage is where He taught about divorce.

Frankly, here's the thing.

Being attacked and accused by this friend hurt. Especially since even after I demonstrated grace and forgiveness, he did it again. Three times he has been called out for the same offense now. And now extreme measure will be taken. I have already filed a report and will block him in 48 hours. I did what God called me to do though because when he demanded I respect his opinion while attacking mine, he also said some nasty things about God and attacked my faith, my Christianity. And so I must remove him from my life before he can bring me down any further.

Also, in terms of oppression. Who are the oppressed in America? Not homosexuals who scream out so loudly and then accuse Christians of being hateful. Nope. Not them. Why? Because they CHOSE to live in sin.

The oppressed in America:

1. Elderly

2. Children

3. Poor

4. Disabled, special needs

5. Veterans

6. Hungry

7. Christians

How?

1. Being disrespected and being cut short their SSI and SNAP and Medicare

2. Lack of quality education

3. Oh, they are nothing but lazy moochers! Really? When was the last time you say and talked with one about his or her story?

4. Did you know that some loophole in the 1938 fair wage act allows Goodwill to pay some disabled workers as little as 22 cents an hour? Slave labor basically. To think a company could do that to me and get away with it?!? Oh, and the Affordable Care Act is the FIRST law that actually finally upholds the Americans with Disabilities Act when it comes to ensuring that people with per-existing conditions finally have the promised "same access to the same affordable healthcare?" And, further, we substantially lack services and programs and community resources as well as insurance coverage for them for adults with autism?

5. See 1 and 3 and 5

6. Suddenly everyone who has ever needed SNAP is a lazy moocher? Wow. Again, when's the last time you got the story?

Saturday, June 15, 2013

So Father's Day is pretty big. For dads, uncles, grandfathers, and brothers. But I want to point out that not everyone has a human father to celebrate. Some people are estranged or orphaned. But you see, I have learned something important from my friend, Tom. You see, he has been an example of what a REAL dad is like. And through him, I have another glimpse of someone much better than any human father could ever be. I have a glimpse of God. God. Father to the fatherless. So this Father's Day, I am thankful that I am not fatherless anymore. I have a Father who is so much more. I have God. Thank you Tom for teaching me by your example! I love you "Papa" Patton!

Thursday, June 13, 2013

So because of the laryngitis, I cannot verbally communicate. And it's hard to make myself understood. It's going to be like this until I get better. I'm not to attempt to talk while I'm squeaky.

It was starting Monday. By Tuesday, it was squeaking. By Wednesday, for a very important event, it was worse. Today, it just isn't able to happen. There is a lot of pain. The ENT did look and he said the vocal cords were very swollen. I had to get a second shot, a steroid shot. It should ease the swelling. But now I have to wait and hope for the best next week so I can rehabilitate.

Okay, so day one of being trapped inside my own body. What is like? What is it like to be a nonverbal and have high functioning autism?

Frustrating! Not everyone can understand the gestures or sign language. I can't always access my iPhone. I don't have an iPad or other augmentive communication device. I don't always have pen and paper. I can't talk on the phone.

I can't make myself understood at the doctor. That was hard trying to do. I can't make myself understood at the library. And even with my own mother, it's hard.

I'm frustrated and going into significant meltdown. I lash out at my closest relatives and friends. I can't get out.

It's like another person lives inside of me and she's the evil twin. She's pushing me away because I'm vulnerable. And she's strong!

This world is not set up for nonverbal people. Look around. How many people are talking on their cell phones or in conversation with someone? When you go to eat somewhere, you place your order using verbal communication. When you use the phone, it's verbal communication. For a nonverbal person, they have to try to rely on sign language, written communication, technological communication devices (also called augmentive communication, iPads, iPhones, etc.), or others to communicate needs and wants.

Well, I feel a little like Carly Fleischmann and Elizabeth Bonker and all the other nonverbal high functioning people with autism. I am trapped inside of my own body with a voice to get out. I have laryngitis. Really bad. I don't need the doctor to tell me that but rather to tell me why and treat it.

We all have a voice. We just use it differently. Will you listen?

I feel I finished enough Stop! Look! And LISTEN! videos on YouTube for now. Go view them at TheSes31 channel if you want personal insight into autism.

But here's the thing, I decided my job is missionary, local, doing puppets and helping churches build special needs ministries. I will be launching a letter writing campaign to start with local churches and share with them about how autism impacts the church. I am hoping to try to partner with other organizations along the way.

Pray for me. Physical healing. Pray for my family. Financial situation and god's provision for that. Pray for my friend Tom. He has a lot going on! And hopefully, we will survive.

Oak Mountain Presbyterian Church

About Me

30-something blogger who loves God and is striving everyday to know Him more. ADHD. Mild-Moderate Autism.. Gluten Free. Casein Free. Allergen Free. Life's a journey. Dance like your life depends on it. Never be afraid to try a new skill. You could be the next Picasso or Mozart.